"Rocks"

By Lynette Chambers

Third Place Award presented to Lynette Chambers, on left, during the Ga. Marble Festival 2011

Jesus is a rock in a weary land, a weary land, a weary land…..a shelter in a time of storm.

When we were children, my sisters and I used to sing this song, not truly realizing what the meaning was. As I have grown older, and perhaps wiser, I have come to treasure the Rock that is my salvation, the Cornerstone that is my foundation, and the Strong Tower that is my hiding place!

I remember as a child hearing about the ROCK of Gibraltar which is found to the South of Spain and sits at the joining of the Atlantic Ocean with the Mediterranean Sea. In ancient times, it was thought that to pass beyond it was to sail to certain destruction over a bottomless waterfall at the edge of the world. Yes, it is truly an amazing rock!

And then we find the famous Plymouth ROCK which sits in quiet grandeur on the waterfront in downtown Plymouth, MA. While it is merely a “rock” this incredible stone has had many adventures—or misadventures as the case may be. It has been associated as a symbol of the forefathers of our great nation, has been used by an illustrious insurance group as their icon; has been chipped at, stared at, and fondled, by any number of individuals for generations. What many people don’t know is that this boulder had a major flaw which resulted in it breaking in two when being transported from its original location. Even so, it has stood the test of time!

Alcatraz - often called The Rock is an amazing island. I was there a few years back and toured the now empty facility.

Even today, Alcatraz is known as one of the most legendary prisons in the world. Built upon an island of stone, off the San Francisco Bay, it is tragically beautiful in its lonely solitude.

Recently my husband and I were privileged to visit the Teotihuacan Pyramids just outside Mexico City. They were built over 2,000 years ago of layer upon layer of rock that has been laid in perfect proportion to form several large pyramids, one to honor the sun, one honors the moon, and several others. It was awe inspiring to climb those stairs and go up one level after another, realizing that long after we are gone these huge formations of rock will still be standing.

And then, that brings us back to the Rock of Ages! All of the other rocks that I have seen pale in comparison to the rocks on which my hope is founded!